tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92070935182425222622014-10-07T00:39:29.914-04:00The New Normal LifeThe story of our family trying to find our "new normal" in this crazy life while trying to manage and parent a toddler with Type 1 Diabetes.Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-7430003418921431662013-05-27T23:07:00.003-04:002013-05-27T23:07:58.119-04:00Growing up and letting goJust a few short weeks ago I signed my little man up for his first year of preschool.. &nbsp;He has just turned 4 years old and REALLY wants to go to preschool. &nbsp;This last year I have been homeschooling him and he has done very well. &nbsp;Knows all his letters, counts to like 50, knows his sounds, writes his name and if I spell things for him he writes his words. &nbsp;He can read some of the BOB books. &nbsp;There is nothing lacking educationally... however since we moved 2 years ago he misses his friends! We have joined MOPS, we do a ROMP n Roll class weekly, but we havent really met the kind of friends we had back "home" The ones who we did EVERYTHING with. &nbsp;Every weekend we had people over or we were over there... He had his best friends. &nbsp;He sees his big brother making great friends at school and so in his mind he gets friends from school. &nbsp;He is partly right! <br />Now don't get me wrong... I am not paying for preschool just for my son to meet people, this will just be an added bonus. &nbsp;One of the biggest reasons is because in a blink of an eye he will be headed off to Elementary School. &nbsp;Here kindergarten is a FULL day program from 9-4. &nbsp;This means he will be in the care of someone else to manage his health and keep him alive. &nbsp;Can it be done?? Of course.. there are millions of you who are sending your most prized loves to school everyday saying a prayer and trusting someone else to take care of them. &nbsp;For Joshua and I this will be such a new experience. In the last 2 years we have had 1 person watch him outside of my husband, myself, or grand parents. &nbsp;We had an entire support system where we used to live. We had a training at our house. we had people who WANTED to learn how to care for him. &nbsp;WE left that, and have not found a replacement yet. So our preschool year will be a year for us to grow, trust, pray and work out the kinks in teaching someone else to keep my son alive. I think we both need it to be able to adjust. He isnt shy or have any seperation issues... He will be standing at the door waving me off saying okay MOM LEAVE please!!! But we will need the year to prepare for a full day of someone else getting it right with the diabetes! Right now at his romp and roll class it is a 2 hour class and he takes it alone. &nbsp;I sit in the car or the waiting room and come and test him at the 1 hr mark. &nbsp;I am sure starting in September and for the unforeseeable future I will be sitting in the preschool parking lot too waiting and praying. <br /><br />We are at the point where Joshua is figuring it out that he is different and that things don't work the same for him. &nbsp;He was dxed so young (11 months) that everyone said... "oh hell be so lucky he wont know any difference" YEA right... My 4 year old knows plenty of differences... He says all the time I WISH I DIDNT HAVE DIABETES! &nbsp;So preschool will be just one more reminder for him that he is different and things work different for him, I am scared of the judgement, the not getting to know how awesome he is because they are too worried about the diabetes. <br />what did you do? How did you "let go" when it was time for school?. <br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-50946514834143490042012-09-09T03:04:00.002-04:002012-09-09T03:07:54.569-04:00For Meri...<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have wanted to start this post so many times, but unsure of how to say it I stop. &nbsp;Even now, I am so unsure of my words and getting my meaning across that this blank screen is so&nbsp;daunting&nbsp;and&nbsp;scary. &nbsp;What can I say that&nbsp;hasn't&nbsp;already been said by the great&nbsp;writers&nbsp;of the DOC- Wendy, Renya, Laura, Hallie, Heidi and Nicole and sooo many others? &nbsp;What will my words add to this day? &nbsp;I am STRUGGLING to find the words to say I am sorry, I am sad, I am&nbsp;grieving&nbsp;for you. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Joshua was first diagnosed and I started my blogging adventure, Meri was one of the first to welcome me on board and wrap her internet arms around me and surrurond me with love. &nbsp;Her blog was one of the ones that helped me to see my sons new diagnosis in a NEW light and in a workable light. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ryan and Meri were an&nbsp;inspiration&nbsp;to Brian and I. &nbsp;We would read Meri's blog and I could be quoted as saying... If Meri can do this so can I. &nbsp;It&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;long after that they became known in my home as just Meri and Ryan. There was no need for last names, no need for blog names... it was just Meri and Ryan. As though we had gone to college with them. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Ryan was diagnosed earlier this year, Brian and I prayed for them, our children prayed for them and as we all did we opened up our other friends to their life and begged for prayers. &nbsp;We talked about them so much on FB that they started to just be known as Meri and Ryan accross all of FB. &nbsp;Their legacy in the life of all our friends and family will be there forever. &nbsp;I think that the number of people who have been touched by them is to large to even think about.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">One day there may even be a 7 degrees away from Ryan and Meri... &nbsp;This may not have been the way they would want to impact the world but it was the path that was&nbsp;chosen&nbsp;for them. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Through Meri's journey over the last few months, we have had friends who have chosen to pray when prayer was not always their path, we have had friends learn more about what T1D is and its ability to affect multiple children in one family. We have had friends who have told me that it was a reminder to tell your spouse you love them every day, and in my own relationship... it has reminded me to be a better wife.. (or at least try) and to remind me to be grateful for what I have and not be concerned with the path I am on. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I woke up on Sept 2nd we went to church and joined the rest of the DOC in prayer for healing and peace for Meri, Ryan and the boys. &nbsp;I went on with my day but they were there on my mind the entire day. &nbsp;Later when I opened Facebook, my heart&nbsp;stopped... It broke for Meri, for the boys and for everyone Ryan touched in his life. &nbsp;I had messages from my mom, messages from the DOC and messages from friends who had just heard about Ryan and Meri from FB and had added them to their prayer lists... &nbsp;almost all the same- Ryan was gone. &nbsp;Instantly&nbsp;tears started coming. &nbsp;Not for Ryan- but for those who were left here. &nbsp;For Meri who was spending the first night with out her husband. &nbsp;I have read stories that he tucked her in every night, that they were each others hobby, that they were everything to each other... &nbsp;That for the first time she would be with out the love of her life, her best friend and her puzzle&nbsp;piece. &nbsp;I cried for the boys- the 4 amazing children that he has helped mold in to gentlemen. &nbsp;I cried for the innocence that is lost when you loose a parent. &nbsp;I cried because no holiday will EVER be the same again. &nbsp;I cried in anger that God would choose to take this man from this family when there was clearly so much left for him to do here. &nbsp;I&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;know what to say to her... it all sounds so cliche... and yet... it was all we could say... and then we heard from Meri&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ourdiabeticlife.com/2012/09/aching.html">http://www.ourdiabeticlife.com/2012/09/aching.html</a>&nbsp;and we learned that she did get her&nbsp;miracle. &nbsp;She says that:</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How everything happened last Sunday is so personal I can't write it down here, but I can tell you that without a doubt...we received our miracle.</span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sit here completely humbled, and shocked. How God got away with this without me cursing him is the monumental miracle itself. Each detail of the last week was carefully seeded so that on the other side I could not deny this timeline was always set. It just wasn't for me to foresee."</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now my heart cries for the void that has been left, and for the doubts she has on her ability to get to the other side of this. &nbsp;She can do this! She is strong and her faith is so STRONG it will carry her through even when her feet cant. &nbsp;Today they layed Ryan to rest. &nbsp;So many of us wanted to be there but California is so very far away, and yet it felt wrong not to be there to support her and love her. &nbsp;We pray she is feeling all our love from afar. &nbsp; What is next for this family?? &nbsp;Ryan was the soul income for this family of 6. &nbsp;4 growing boys 3 with a life&nbsp;</span>threatening<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;disease. &nbsp;In our family we pay over $870 in medical supplies to keep 2 type 1 diabetics alive A MONTH, I cant event dream of her out of pocket. &nbsp;In&nbsp;</span>addition<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;to the future expenses... they have Ryan's medical bills. &nbsp;They have food to put on a table, power to keep on, school supplies to shop for, and then you have life expenses to try and bring some sense of normal back to their life. &nbsp; I know this is the month you hear me beg you to give to our walk team and help us find a cure.. I know that will be helpful to all of us in the end, but this family needs you RIGHT NOW...Would consider donating to both, sharing your gift with each of us, giving to JDRF in October and to this family now? Find an option that will work for you.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ANY amount will make a&nbsp;</span>difference<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;in their life. &nbsp;Consider donating your starbucks for the week, or plan to buy this family pizza for a night if you are on a budget right now. &nbsp;Dont feel as though you have to give $1,000's by your self. &nbsp;We are reaching all our arms out and hugging them. &nbsp;"It takes a&nbsp;</span>village"... and here is your chance... <br /><br />To Meri-<br />My heart is&nbsp;aching&nbsp; for you right now. &nbsp;The legacy your husband has left is deeper then most people will ever leave. &nbsp;Ryan's STORY is one that has impacted people all over the world and will be carried in their heart forever. &nbsp;Your families faith, love and strength will be a lesson many will learn from and carry always. &nbsp;I know you have said that you&nbsp;don't&nbsp;know if you are strong enough.. you are... but you&nbsp;don't&nbsp;have to be the strongest one around. &nbsp;Allow others to be strong for you,&nbsp;relay&nbsp;on your faith for your strength. Allow Ryan to help guide you, allow God to carry you... Allow your friends to listen and cook and clean for you... We love you and pray for peace for you and your boys. That you will find a new normal for your life one day. <br />As I think of my own angel waiting for me in heaven 2 quotes always stick out to me.. They have carried me through some sad moments:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>"May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from the other"</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>and</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><b>"Courage is Fear that has said it's prayers"</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; width: 240px;"><script src="http://www.giveforward.com/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript"> BuildWidget('schuhmacherfamilymiracle2'); </script><a href="http://www.giveforward.com/" style="color: #4577b3; font-size: 12px;" target="_blank">Medical Fundaising Made Simple </a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-33363160629045751452012-05-25T23:10:00.002-04:002012-05-25T23:11:10.709-04:00Joshua's Story- from Brians point of viewAs many of you have heard I was not here when Joshua was first diagnosed.. I was at a&nbsp;conference&nbsp;4.5 hours away in a snow storm. &nbsp;I have shared my story before but Brian has just written about it from his point of view. &nbsp;He saw&nbsp;images&nbsp;that day of our son that I pray I never have to see... he had to handle it with out me. &nbsp;There are things I will never understand because I wasnt there and didnt have to live through it. I got the call, got scared and got in a car with my dear friend driving me home. Yes, I was away from it and could do nothing at all... but he was there living it and could do nothing at all. &nbsp;HE saved our son that day. &nbsp;He was my hero. &nbsp;I thought you might like to see his point of view. &nbsp;<a href="http://ddadspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/09/days-dont-get-worse-than-thatday-1.html?showComment=1338001504466#c670770542072352311">D Dad blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-48407376866015188012012-05-14T20:24:00.002-04:002012-05-14T20:24:29.683-04:00D Dad!So&nbsp;excited&nbsp;my hubby has been blogging again! if you havent checked him out before you should now.. &nbsp;Hes awesome, cool and has got a really great persecptive as a dad of a type 1 and a PWD himself. &nbsp;Check him out:&nbsp;<a href="http://ddadspeaks.blogspot.com/">D Dad Speaks</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-38953466484530900742012-02-19T21:37:00.002-05:002012-02-19T21:37:59.365-05:00A sweet giveawayIf you havent done it yet make sure you head over to The Princess and the Pump and check out their "sweet" giveaway!! &nbsp;<a href="http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/2012/02/my-favorite-things-valentines-day.html">http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/2012/02/my-favorite-things-valentines-day.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-58162650869915956162012-02-14T00:45:00.000-05:002012-02-14T01:20:36.842-05:002 years laterWell it is 12:07 am as I start this blog and I have been waiting for this day to end all day long. &nbsp;Today marked the 2 year anniversary of Type 1 Diabetes for Joshua. &nbsp;I've&nbsp;been calling it Hope Day as I have seen several of you do. &nbsp;It seems fitting&nbsp;especially&nbsp;this year. <br /><br />I was hoping for a cure, hoping to make it through with out breaking down a million times, hoping we had good numbers all day, hoping we&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;have to do an unexpected pod change, hoping I could rely on Dex today. &nbsp;Hoping not to have a repeat of <a href="http://www.thenewnormallife.blogspot.com/2011/02/one-year-ago-today.html">last years anniversary.</a><br /><br />This year I think was so hard for me because Joshua has now lived with Diabetes longer then he has lived with out it. This was very sobering for me as we got closer and closer to this date. &nbsp;I know many of you have children who this is the case for and I know he&nbsp;will&nbsp;be fine in the long run, but to think he is 2 short weeks away from being 3 and he has already had this disease for longer then he&nbsp;hasn't&nbsp;just breaks my heart. &nbsp;To think he will not know life any different (until a Cure is FOUND), he will always know site changes, waking in the middle of the night, needles, highs and lows, attachments to his body, it breaks me down a little. &nbsp;I know things could be so much worse and I know some say at least he was so young he&nbsp;doesn't&nbsp;miss life before... but I think this is just so much extra wear and tear on his body. This disease has so many things it effects and he will be affected by it for soooo long. All of this has been wearing on my heart as we approached HOPE day. <br /><br />I am happy to announce we did great. &nbsp;It was like most any other day in our house. &nbsp;No big fan fair this year for hope day, (I was still recovering from last year,) and no big issues. &nbsp;I was very happy. &nbsp;I did do something brave today... Joshua is enrolled in a class called Romp and Roll. It is a little gym type class and we do music on&nbsp;Mondays&nbsp;well we got there in enough time for him to do the super hero class before our normal class, but this is a child only class. &nbsp;So I let him go and I sat back in the waiting room close by with out any fuss. I was proud of myself.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br /><br />upcoming posts: our move to Richmond, omni pod, dexcom, JDRF Walk- &nbsp;I know I am WAYYYYY behind... but I hope to play catch up soon!Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-55516013366374653012011-11-02T10:56:00.000-04:002011-11-02T10:56:18.218-04:00Winner Winner, Chicken DinnerOkay so I have never understood that saying at all! but I was struggling for a post title.&nbsp; I am happy to announce that Jill over at Diabetes Sweeties won the beautiful bracelet! YAHOOO!!&nbsp; Jill please contact me with in 48 hours to redeem your prize.&nbsp; I will mail it out this week!&nbsp; For those of you who didn't get to win remember you can purchase your own beautiful bracelet at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/60404585">http://www.etsy.com/transaction/60404585</a>&nbsp;if there are none available at the time make sure you contact Katie and she will add more. The profits go to JDRF.&nbsp; THANKS!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-14821073262438149712011-10-25T10:22:00.002-04:002011-10-25T10:22:29.206-04:00Extedned Giveaway DeadlineHI!! I wanted to let you know I am extending the giveaway for this awesome bracelet for just a few more days! I willl pick the winner on Friday night after midnight so get those entrys in! The bracelet is BEAUTIFUL and you will love it!! <br /><a href="http://thenewnormallife.blogspot.com/2011/10/bling-away-for-doc.html">AWESOME DOC giveaway</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-66109916711108432402011-10-18T22:44:00.001-04:002011-10-18T22:45:08.466-04:00A "Bling-away" for the DOCWe are in the last few days of fundraising for our walk on Saturday and have been truly humbled by all the&nbsp;blessings and wonderful donations that have come in to support us on finding a cure.&nbsp; I am sure if you have done your walk before, then you know how awesome it is to see all the people coming out of the wood work to support you.&nbsp; This is our first walk. I set a team goal of $2,000. We are doing great on achieving it!&nbsp; I am confident we will do even better.&nbsp; It really makes my heart smile when I think of all our family and friends who are "showing up".&nbsp; I will be sure to post pictures and a great post on our walk day success. Please pray for sun shine and pretty weather. <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have a friend and <a href="http://www.alphadeltapi.org/">Alpha Delta Pi</a>&nbsp;Sorority sister Katie Allen Bozard who is a talented jewelry designer.&nbsp; You can check out her Etsy shop at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82755932/type-1-diabetes-awareness-bracelet">Half Shell Creations</a>.&nbsp; She has designed a special bracelet just for us the DOC.&nbsp; She is donating profits from this bracelet to the JDRF.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vcHXVIwV-I/Tp4rJ-amZqI/AAAAAAAAAGI/i4dJuhFF0pE/s1600/326400_2453829147150_1294691979_2951777_535832973_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vcHXVIwV-I/Tp4rJ-amZqI/AAAAAAAAAGI/i4dJuhFF0pE/s400/326400_2453829147150_1294691979_2951777_535832973_o.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">&nbsp; I am so excited about it and I LOVE it!!&nbsp; I hope you will too!! Everything from the blue and silver beads to the i hope charm were chosen to represent us.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have been wearing my bracelet all over town and people have loved it!&nbsp; It has been a great conversation piece and it goes with both casual and dressy days.&nbsp; I know you will love it too!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />Katie has graciously donated 1 bracelet to be given away on my blog during this week of walk excitement!&nbsp; I know that the lucky winner will love it!!&nbsp; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Entries will be accepted until Monday the 24th at midnight. A drawing will be on Tuesday.&nbsp; You can enter multiple times to win.&nbsp; The winner will need to respond with in 48 hours </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is how you get entries.</div><ol><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Leave your name in the comments section here</div></li><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Like" the Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HalfShellCreations?ref=seller_info">Half Shell Creations</a>&nbsp;(there is a FB like button on the bottom of the page)</div></li><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Share this give away on Facebook</div></li><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Share this give away on your blog</div></li><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Follow this blog</div></li></ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>So DOC keep your fingers crossed and I hope you all win but since only 1 is being given away please consider purchasing one for your collection.&nbsp; If you choose to purchase one and the etsy shop says it is empty please let myself or Katie know as she is able to create more.&nbsp; This will be an on going partnership.<br /><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-88465178519546996082011-10-12T20:36:00.000-04:002011-10-12T20:36:34.846-04:00Joshua's Rock Stars JDRF Walk Video 2011<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wfS3pbvAbEw?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="459" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />Joshua's Rock Stars 2011 Walk Video<br />I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thank you so much for everything you all have given to us on this journey we wouldnt be here with out you the DOC!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-46228619803498606542011-10-03T22:18:00.001-04:002011-10-03T22:18:24.407-04:00The winner is...Okay so I had Jackson pick a number between 1 and 8 and he choose lucky number 4!! YEA Joanne you won!! I hope you love the new toe colors&nbsp;and I am sure you will come up with something so cute to put on your toes!!&nbsp; Please contact me to collect your prize!!&nbsp; Congratulations!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-72769749547411382472011-10-02T20:22:00.000-04:002011-10-02T20:22:28.084-04:00Dont forget the awesome giveawayJust wanted to remind you to enter the great giveaway on my blog tonight for a set of nail polish from Tips4Type1. I know you will love it as much as I do. You can enter on the Post before this one titled Lucy I'm home! Hope you win!<br /><br />ShannonShannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-20573274630092551092011-09-29T22:02:00.001-04:002011-09-30T14:23:27.610-04:00"Lucy,... I'm Home"I cant believe it has been so long since Ive been on.&nbsp; I have missed you all so much... This summer was a blur being a "single parent" Monday through Friday, getting ready for the move, Joshua had surgery and renting out our home finding a new home, trying to get walk stuff figured out.&nbsp; I will be honest I was so far behind I stopped trying to get caught up.&nbsp; But I managed to keep Joshua alive and stay married to my husband during all the transitions so I call that a win.&nbsp; To celebrate my return to the real world I have a give away.&nbsp; I actually have 2 coming up one this week and one next week.&nbsp; <br /><br />This weeks is sponsored by The lovely Tonya at <a href="http://tips4type1.com/">Tips4Type1</a>.&nbsp; She has donated&nbsp;a set of&nbsp;amazing nail polish that she has CREATED!&nbsp; Check out her website I found it amazing and inspirational!&nbsp; The blue and sliver is just beautiful!&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2sFcnOImuQ/ToUg_h28VCI/AAAAAAAAAGA/eUfO0yz1flM/s1600/tips+for+type+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2sFcnOImuQ/ToUg_h28VCI/AAAAAAAAAGA/eUfO0yz1flM/s1600/tips+for+type+one.jpg" /></a></div><br />I know you will love it too!! After a much needed summer of neglect I carried my self down to this great nail salon in my home town 2 weeks ago and got an amazing pedicure.&nbsp; The wonderful ladies there decorated my big toes for me which I NEVER do but love so I might be addicted now.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuDbgbX70cA/ToUhiytA3NI/AAAAAAAAAGE/kn095hahVLE/s1600/toes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tuDbgbX70cA/ToUhiytA3NI/AAAAAAAAAGE/kn095hahVLE/s320/toes+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Funny thing is I thought I had cute feet till I took so many pics of them to get these shots.&nbsp; now I think I must have the ugliest feet around!! :) anyway don't judge the pedicure.. it is now&nbsp;2 weeks old and the shots I did take went down the drain when I dropped my blackberry in the sink. (no rice didn't help and yes I am looking for a replacement if you have one lying around).&nbsp; Anyway lets get on with give away!<br /><br />Rules: <br /><ol><li>One entry when you leave your name here and your favorite color nail polish (lets make it fun)</li><li>One entry for&nbsp;"liking" Tips 4 type 1 on facebook. If you already do it will count just let me know. </li><li>If you blog about this give away you can earn another entry. </li></ol>So 3 chances to win. Entries need to be in by Sunday at 12am.&nbsp; The winner will be announced Monday and you will have 24 hours to be contact me.&nbsp; Due to shipping restrictions from the USPS you must have it shipped to a US address.&nbsp; The nail polish will be shipped from Tonya directly :) I'm so excited!! <br /><br />**Edit for clarification- YOU GET BOTH colors!!! I just wanted to know your favorite all the time color as something FUN!! YOU GET BOTH blue and silver because TONYA ROCKS!!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-76859504145302072362011-07-27T00:23:00.000-04:002011-07-27T00:23:46.961-04:00Christmas in July﻿﻿﻿﻿Over the last year or so you have heard me mention my<a href="http://thistleandclovers.blogspot.com/"> sister</a>. She is an amazing supporter of us and our journey with Type 1.&nbsp; What you may not know is she is married to an amazing man.&nbsp; They live in New York State and he is a Peds resident.&nbsp; He has just started his 3rd year.&nbsp; He loves my boys 100% and is an amazing uncle for many reasons.&nbsp; They love Uncle Rob and ask about him often. He is the kind of man you dream your baby sister will marry.&nbsp; Well Uncle Rob has a special place for Joshua. You see last year when Joshua was dx, Rob picked endo as one of his rotations.&nbsp; He also volunteered to go to Diabetes Camp!&nbsp; He had a great experience and sent us lots of goodies last year! <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1PF1cOcDtQ/Ti-N5dOIv8I/AAAAAAAAAE8/f56_3_mE_hg/s1600/Diabetes+Camp+present+from+Rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1PF1cOcDtQ/Ti-N5dOIv8I/AAAAAAAAAE8/f56_3_mE_hg/s320/Diabetes+Camp+present+from+Rob.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goodies from camp 2010 Jackson loves his sleeping bag!! I was neglectful last year and forgot to post how awesome it was to get this box of goodies.&nbsp; It didn't go unappreciated I was just so overwhelmed at the time with things on our plate.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This year Rob volunteered to go back to camp as part of the med staff again.&nbsp;He said he told a lot of the staff about Joshua's story and they started donating things to him. He said one of the staff actually donated some things that she had gotten instead to Joshua.&nbsp; I was so surprised when this box of goodies arrived. I cant tell you how much the supplies meant and how wonderful it was that so many people wanted to help Joshua out.&nbsp; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YChbMSeUP34/Ti-QKqZbO2I/AAAAAAAAAFE/j8PwMM4WA_M/s1600/Diabetes+box+from+Rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YChbMSeUP34/Ti-QKqZbO2I/AAAAAAAAAFE/j8PwMM4WA_M/s400/Diabetes+box+from+Rob.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PS Rob has the most amazing handwriting you will ever find!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-711e7HujA5s/Ti-QPkXOW5I/AAAAAAAAAFI/YeedFYgxNwY/s1600/Diabetes+box+from+Rob_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-711e7HujA5s/Ti-QPkXOW5I/AAAAAAAAAFI/YeedFYgxNwY/s400/Diabetes+box+from+Rob_0001.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">last year we got a keytone meter. This year we got strips to go with it and 2 back up accuc chek avaias a free style lite to try.</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TGJ2EGLP8E/Ti-QFvnTfjI/AAAAAAAAAFA/QKqIwEZr3Bw/s1600/diabetes+box+from+Rob_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TGJ2EGLP8E/Ti-QFvnTfjI/AAAAAAAAAFA/QKqIwEZr3Bw/s400/diabetes+box+from+Rob_0003.jpg" t$="true" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ive never had a sharps container... we use&nbsp;a wipes bottle :) </td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ_epMGxWNQ/Ti-QVYCcJnI/AAAAAAAAAFM/cxvUFkFnptE/s1600/Diabetes+box+from+Rob_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ_epMGxWNQ/Ti-QVYCcJnI/AAAAAAAAAFM/cxvUFkFnptE/s320/Diabetes+box+from+Rob_0002.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Brian and Joshua both using the Accua Chek Avia we go through a TON of test strips!! In addition we also got 2 bags of Joshua's needles and a new lancing device to try.&nbsp;THANK YOU just doesn't seems large enough!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>﻿﻿ <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Rob, I don't think words will ever be able to describe how much it meant to me that you shared Joshua's story and that you connected with people who were so willing to give.&nbsp; You are an amazing doctor who cares about your patients. I appreciate you always being a sounding board when I need to talk something through.&nbsp; You are a wonderful person and I am proud that you are my sisters husband!&nbsp; </em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-87173234003141984162011-07-20T12:27:00.002-04:002011-07-20T12:27:09.262-04:00Pumping???Okay so we just got back from the endos office to discuss the move and she wants to move us to a PUMP!!&nbsp; My emotions are all over the place right now from scared and worried to excited and anxious. Brian has moved to Richmond already. We wont join him until our house is rented.&nbsp; He will be coming home on the weekends.&nbsp; Our Endo office normally has 1 class at the beginning of every month. Our awesome Doctor doesnt want to wait that long so she is arranging a class with our CDE so that we can get started soon!&nbsp; (like Friday)&nbsp; So as I was walking out of the office what did I do?? I called my BFF who is a scientist by birth and trade and she is figuring out some facts and option for me to help with the decision.&nbsp; I have alot of research to do and a ton of reading to do. But Id love to hear your advice too. I know several of you have blogged about your research if you can share any of that Id appriciate it.&nbsp; But I want to hear to would you make the same choices. Do you think you would have liked one pump more then other? What can I do to make the transition better for a 2 year old? If I have a tubbing pump how do you keep a 2 year active playing boy from pulling it out??<br /><br />THANKS so much for your support already!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-23875632264617132352011-07-18T10:48:00.000-04:002011-07-18T10:48:42.748-04:00Blog giveaway winners!I am so happy with how my first giveaway went! THANKS so much for all your sweet comments! I hope you will love <a href="http://stickmed.moonfruit.com/">Stick me Designs</a> as much as I do! They really are wonderful!!&nbsp; WE LOVE our bag and am anxiously awaiting new prints so we can give Brian our black bag and I can get a fun funky color :)&nbsp; Rickina really is amazing and I hope you will consider purchasing a bag from her and make sure to mention Joshua's Rock Stars or my name so that she will credit us with a percentage to go toward our walk team!&nbsp; Now on with the show.&nbsp; First let me acknowlegde that there is Misti out there who I entered in the drawing because she was the first to comment but when I was cleaning up some things it was deleted. I tried to find her and get her to recomment I got the wrong Misti. Im sorry for that. so she was #1.&nbsp; Anyway... The winners according to Jackson my 5 year olds random picking was #100100 and since we didnt have that many comments he repicked&nbsp;<a href="http://justicesmisbehavingpancreas.blogspot.com/"> Alexis Nicole of Justices misbehaving pancreas</a>&nbsp; for the black one and <a href="http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/">Hallie of the Princess and the pump</a>&nbsp;for the Aqua Deco one.&nbsp;&nbsp; Ladies if you will please email me at <a href="mailto:shannondaviscmc@gmail.com">shannondaviscmc@gmail.com</a> with your contact info so I can send these off to you.&nbsp; I am so excited for you and hope you will loce them as much as we do!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-30773342112049608882011-07-13T12:16:00.009-04:002011-07-13T12:16:00.140-04:00Stick Me Designs and my first Giveaway1st let me apologize this post is about 3 weeks overdue.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have been so caught up with everything that it took a back burner.&nbsp; Now on to the post<br /><br />You know how sometimes things are just meant to be? Well that is how I felt about this company. As mentioned in my <a href="http://thenewnormallife.blogspot.com/2011/07/whats-in-your-bag.html">previous post</a>. My mom and I went on a search for a new Diabetes Bag. I really disliked mine although I was attached and have kept it because it was familiar.&nbsp; (ever hold on to something to long just because...) My mom discovered this great company called <a href="http://stickmed.moonfruit.com/#">Stick Me Designs</a>. Now to make it even better she lives right near me! I'm an instant gratification kind of person and I really want to see the bag and love it before I purchased it. With her being local this was easy.&nbsp; We met at&nbsp;a local book store&nbsp;one rainy Sunday afternoon and spent a few hours talking. <a href="http://stickmed.moonfruit.com/#/about-me/4536993049">Rickina</a> had Gestational Diabetes. She didn't like the bags that were out there so she created her own. This lady is smart, and has a million ideas running around. She is like the kind of people you see on Shark Tank.&nbsp; Anyway I fell in love with her bag and purchased one. While I was doing that she agreed to let me give 2 away!!&nbsp; In addition to that she said if anyone purchased one from her she would give 15% back to our Walk Team. In the comments section you just tell her you are from Joshua's Rock Stars or mention my name. <br /><br />I told her I would offer up my opinion on the bag and be very honest.&nbsp; I want to make it clear I purchased my bag and she gave me 2 to give away. Also check out her site because she has other products she has created and has some special clubs and great opportunities for you to get involved too! Also she has even set up special pricing if you join her VPS (Very Special Prickers club)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8uG7N88FEY/Th0ewTCeqhI/AAAAAAAAAEc/3zX8q-U896E/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8uG7N88FEY/Th0ewTCeqhI/AAAAAAAAAEc/3zX8q-U896E/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first thing that I loved is the fact that everything has a place. Joshua is currently making the switch from Diluted Insulin to full strength insulin plus he has his lantus pen (he and Brian share one pen) It had a place for the glucagon pen and his meter. there are spaces I haven't used that are for remotes and such for a pump.&nbsp; You cant see it but in the middle of the 2 sides is a pocket as well and that is where I keep the lancing device. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IT-injnf3lE/Th0e86CbUXI/AAAAAAAAAEg/aAKvLYlfkWU/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IT-injnf3lE/Th0e86CbUXI/AAAAAAAAAEg/aAKvLYlfkWU/s320/DSC_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;there are so many compartments.&nbsp; I love the zipper pouches. On one side we keep the needles and extra pen needle for Brian. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvb--uG6lzE/Th0fJUYsNFI/AAAAAAAAAEk/abeI61NyyL8/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvb--uG6lzE/Th0fJUYsNFI/AAAAAAAAAEk/abeI61NyyL8/s320/DSC_0123.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the mess pocket I keep the smarties, the used needles extra test strips and lancet pieces.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMjA6ygfV5M/Th0fUE2MlkI/AAAAAAAAAEo/zsoH59AHxVk/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMjA6ygfV5M/Th0fUE2MlkI/AAAAAAAAAEo/zsoH59AHxVk/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on the back there is a zipper pouch that fits my fruit snacks emergency, my out of the house log book and calculator. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oldjhnvl6Q/Th0ff6PjuqI/AAAAAAAAAEs/g8Yldq4lnnQ/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oldjhnvl6Q/Th0ff6PjuqI/AAAAAAAAAEs/g8Yldq4lnnQ/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there is an insulated pocket!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2l70UWUk0Ow/Th0fsBA0lUI/AAAAAAAAAEw/SPU6OS8QKNg/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2l70UWUk0Ow/Th0fsBA0lUI/AAAAAAAAAEw/SPU6OS8QKNg/s320/DSC_0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and yet another zipper pouch. This is where our keytone meeter and strips live.&nbsp; </div><br />PROS: it is compact. When I am just running in the store it has emergency sugar options, and all the supplies I need with out my giant blue bag.&nbsp; Remember Joshua is 2 so we still have a "diaper" bag too.&nbsp; I love that it has the insulated pocket with it. I can put the little "frozen ice cubes" in the packet with the insulin when needed.&nbsp; I also love that when I open the bag nothing goes flying out!!&nbsp; THIS IS AMAZING!!&nbsp; I also love that it has some room to grow with us. We have added Brian's extra supplies to it which has saved us a few time and there is room as Joshua moves to&nbsp;a CGM and Pump (one day).&nbsp;I also love that she is right here in&nbsp;Va Beach, VA and is&nbsp;a Navy Wife. &nbsp;More than that I LOVE Rickina and her story.&nbsp; Cons: Right now, it only comes in limited boy colors. She is working on this. They have the most adorable owl print right now though that I would buy if Brian wouldn't kill me.&nbsp; I really cant find fault in this bag! <br /><br />Also while you are on the website check out the <a href="http://stickmed.moonfruit.com/#/shop/4536993074">other bags</a>. She has an older bag that I am using as a wallet right now! I loveeeee it too!!<br /><br />So how would you like to Win ONE?????<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1vOIil9iSA/Th0pWvsrUMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/lgtiU83mg-M/s1600/aqua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1vOIil9iSA/Th0pWvsrUMI/AAAAAAAAAE0/lgtiU83mg-M/s200/aqua.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqua Deco bag </td></tr></tbody></table>Here is what we are going to do. This is my first give away so bare with me but I think I got the rules down.&nbsp; <br />The entries will close on Sunday night the 17th at Midnight.&nbsp; The winners will be announced on Monday the 18th.&nbsp; You will have 24 hours to contact me or I will move on to the next winner.<br /><br />When you leave your comments <strong>please let me know which one you want to win</strong>.&nbsp;You may enter&nbsp;to win&nbsp;both bags but you will only be chosen one time.&nbsp;Your choices are <strong>Aqua Deco</strong> or an <strong>All black one</strong> (Joshua's is all black). Here is how you get entries<br /><ul><li>leave a comment here on my blog</li><li>Blog about this on your blog</li><li>Facebook my blog site then leave a comment here </li><li>"Like" Stick Me Designs on Facebook and tell Rickina I sent you over then leave a comment here</li><li>I dont "tweet" sorry :(</li></ul>Im super excited and cant wait to see who wins!! <br />&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-51186603150185279452011-07-13T00:10:00.001-04:002011-07-13T00:13:59.212-04:00Whats in your bag???A few months ago there was a post going around about whats in your bag. well we wanted to participate but it never happened. So I took the pictures back then but just got overwhelmed with everything going on and never blogged.&nbsp; I thought I would share today.&nbsp; Please remember that I have a 2 year old. Our bag has to hold a ton more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgTxLwJIR3o/Th0WY_uXPBI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Dna9REmeT8M/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgTxLwJIR3o/Th0WY_uXPBI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Dna9REmeT8M/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Our blue bag we dont go anywhere with out! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq__tm6nSNc/Th0Wlokob6I/AAAAAAAAAD8/yodqArEDsrI/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq__tm6nSNc/Th0Wlokob6I/AAAAAAAAAD8/yodqArEDsrI/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;inside is our green diabetes bag, our diaper change bag, a 31 insulated tote, toys and extra supplies<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i10sPWAjWus/Th0W0gFD-6I/AAAAAAAAAEA/dUuaAW_GBcM/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i10sPWAjWus/Th0W0gFD-6I/AAAAAAAAAEA/dUuaAW_GBcM/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25285%2529.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>&nbsp;The green bag that was given to us in the hospital. This thing is like a pit I cant ever find what I need. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_uaa4VKossU/Th0XCYrbLMI/AAAAAAAAAEE/mB2MzMKmSXg/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_uaa4VKossU/Th0XCYrbLMI/AAAAAAAAAEE/mB2MzMKmSXg/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;it does hold a lot but I end up having to search for through everything when I need something.&nbsp; <br />Inside is our meter, glucagon pen,&nbsp;keytone meter, calculator, needles, alochol wipes, insulin, smarties, log book for when we are out, testing strips, icing gel<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9lxd0aNx0c/Th0XQBeW9iI/AAAAAAAAAEI/tsovPmexk8M/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9lxd0aNx0c/Th0XQBeW9iI/AAAAAAAAAEI/tsovPmexk8M/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;my adorable little boy pointing to his&nbsp;keytone&nbsp;meter<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqRCCEf62uI/Th0XdmnTJrI/AAAAAAAAAEM/0k29kq4mMcE/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqRCCEf62uI/Th0XdmnTJrI/AAAAAAAAAEM/0k29kq4mMcE/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Wipes, Gold fish and snack bag<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkSD2YBDWiI/Th0XpR7RnlI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/od3DlfBnb30/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkSD2YBDWiI/Th0XpR7RnlI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/od3DlfBnb30/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%252814%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">inside snack bag</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4t7JvZ6P2g/Th0beVZTR5I/AAAAAAAAAEY/fuRUKNeAUVM/s1600/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4t7JvZ6P2g/Th0beVZTR5I/AAAAAAAAAEY/fuRUKNeAUVM/s320/Diabetes+Bag+contents+%252816%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Note all the extras, extend bars for Brian, calorie king book, forks spoons, toys, bandaids, back up meter, the list goes on and on.&nbsp; <br /><br />What do I want in a bag? Something organized, something neat, something where everything has a place.&nbsp; SO I went on a search. My mom got involved. We searched high we searched low.&nbsp; And guess what we found it. Turn in tomorrow to find out what we found! <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-61889166782172489722011-06-29T15:04:00.000-04:002011-06-29T15:04:11.724-04:00Our big AnnoucementWell I guess by now it is official, I’ve told family, friends, doctors know and its even been posted on Facebook.&nbsp; Time to make the last announcement.&nbsp; Team Davis is relocating to Richmond, VA.&nbsp; We are both excited and nervous. In denial and a crazy state of getting ready.&nbsp; We currently live in Chesapeake VA. This is only about 2 hours away but it is one of the scariest things I’ve done. (okay so using the glucagon gun on Joshua's 1 year anniversary was the scariest but you know what I mean)&nbsp; Last year rocked our family, financially and emotionally. On top of Brian's T1 supplies Joshua was dx with a 6 day hospital stay, then of his supplies, Brian lost his job, Jackson had several medical issues and the list goes on and on.&nbsp; Brian found a job 3 months after losing it but it was a 50% pay cut from our regular salary. So this last year we haven’t ever caught up. Family and friends have been amazing pitching in and helping but we had to look for something more.&nbsp; Brian is a Speech Therapist who has experience with Children and Adults so when this company came looking for him and fell in love with him they made an offer quickly. He is great at what he does.&nbsp; While I am proud of him, I am scared of this new future.&nbsp; The financial compensation will be helpful and with time we should be able to "breathe" again. <br />The issue is Chesapeake is the only "home" I’ve ever known.&nbsp; All of my friends, family and support system is here. Yes we know people in Richmond and they have learned about Joshua from FB but really they don’t know Joshua like our people here do. On top of that it means an entire new team for his Diabetes and Patricians. I love our doctors here. They know us. They love us, they know him. When we walk in they know our names. They lived through the first few days with us. They lived through the first year. I know I am being silly.&nbsp; Military people do this all the time. I have a dear friend who is relocating to Germany. I know it is only 2 hours away but it is still leaving everyone.&nbsp; <br />The plan is that Brian will move to Richmond July 18 to start work there and then come home on the weekends until we rent our home out and then we find a place there. This also means Ill be solo m-f for all the overnight checks.&nbsp; I know <a href="http://www.houstonwehaveaproblemblog.com/">Laura</a> does it all the time and man she is my hero!&nbsp; <br />I am excited about the opportunity it will present us with however I am scared out of my mind.&nbsp; Has anyone relocated with a Child with T1? what are your recommendations? If you were allowed would you travel 2 hours for your endo or find a new one???<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-54499867277958577452011-06-16T09:38:00.000-04:002011-06-16T09:38:35.565-04:00more to come...I cant believe it has been so long since I posted!&nbsp; I am have been around lurking on the boards and commenting but ive been in a funk these last 2 months.&nbsp; I have been overwhelmed with lots of things going on in our life and I couldnt find my voice.&nbsp; Im not making any huge promises but I will say I want to be better at blogging and connecting. I miss you all, I miss the comments of encouragement on a bad day, I miss the funny comments to cheer me up.&nbsp; Ive got some exciting news that I will share in the next day or so. (no there isnt another little Davis coming) and I also will be hosting my first blog giveaway!! Im super excited about that.&nbsp; <br />So Ill see you later this week!! <br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-83578991136866977112011-04-03T08:34:00.000-04:002011-04-03T08:34:58.362-04:00What do yall drink at your house??THanks so much for the great advice the last few days. &nbsp;I thought Id pick your brain one more time. For those of you keeping track, Ive managed to write several days in a row. Im pretty proud of my self. Ive been catching up on blogs too and leaving comments! THANKS so much for everything you all are writing about it is so helpful and really pulling me out of my funk! THANKS!!<br />Okay so not to the question... do let your kids have crystal light and other water flavors? &nbsp;At our house we try to limit juice to 1 a day. We do white milk, and water most of the time. &nbsp;I use crystal light for me but I have tried to stay away from it for the kids simply because of the nurtasweet and splenda in these things. Im looking for options for the boys. &nbsp;They will drink water fine, but I wanted to give them some options. &nbsp;There are websites all over the place saying kids shouldn't have the chemicals in the water flavor drinks but Im trying to avoid the constant shots from extra milk and the extra calories and sugar spikes of juice all the time. &nbsp;What are your go to drinks? Remember my kidos are 2 and 5 so we dont do the soda option for them at all.<br />So tell me whats your opinion? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-35819808933023507962011-04-02T00:33:00.000-04:002011-04-02T00:33:09.066-04:00To carb or not to carb... that is the questionOkay so we all have our goal for overnight and while they all vary I am sure we all face this same issue. &nbsp;When do you add carbs and when do you just wait it out? &nbsp;Here is what is going on with us. Joshua is supposed to be between 150-350 over night. Yes that is a huge gap but remember he is just now 2. &nbsp;We strive for between 150-300. &nbsp;Anything over and we are to give insulin. Anything under and we are to give carbs. &nbsp;Sounds simple right??<br />Here is what has been happening lately.&nbsp;We check at midnight and at 3am. &nbsp;He will be in the 170-180's. It sounds like a great number and for some of you it would be. &nbsp;But to us it means far less sleep then a high or low. it is just unknown. Joshua is like a gas tank. When he is between full and 1/2 it takes a while to go down but when you get to 1/2 he can go empty fast. <br />So that 170 could be going up... or it could be going down. If it is going up then okay great. If it is going down... well we all know how fast that could happen... and what if, I miss the 3 am check. &nbsp;So I am left hanging out for another hour to see what happens. now it is 1 am and his number has moved only a little in either direction. Still no idea and so then we wait some more... now it is almost 3 am. &nbsp;What if he is 160? do you go ahead and put carbs on board, just incase?? We did once and boy did we regret it we woke up to a 468 bg. &nbsp;We didn't add carbs one night and he woke up to a 62 at 3am. &nbsp;What if I had overslept? what ifs are causing me to loose a lot of sleep.<br />What do you do?? What is your magic number and do you have a curve on that? <br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-66538165105897766652011-03-31T10:11:00.002-04:002011-03-31T10:12:13.517-04:00Meal time dramaI know Ive been mia lately and for that Im sorry Ive tried to keep up with reading but that hasnt gone to well.&nbsp; I have lots of post to do in my head, Joshua turning 2, Jackson turning 5, and amazing gift we received, our A1C score, whats in my bag and a great article I read about a Diabetes driver for the indy 500.&nbsp; They will be coming in the days ahead I promise.&nbsp; I have loved reading everyones blog and it has been so helpful. THANK YOU.&nbsp; But today I come to you with a very frustrating situation. <br /><br />Since turning 2 Joshua has developed well lets say... some independence.&nbsp; He has never been the best eater. We struggled to get him to eat baby food, and then to move to table food. But this last year its been better.&nbsp; Not great but not bad either.&nbsp; Now all of a sudden he wont eat.&nbsp; I mean flat out refusing.&nbsp; Ive tried the 2 choices Ive tried to play silly games to get him to eat but REALLY!! come on... He will like something today and tomorrow refuse it the worst meal for us is breakfast. By far everyday this is a struggle. He wont eat oatmeal, cereal, toast, eggs, pancakes,&nbsp;or waffles&nbsp;anymore.&nbsp; With Jackson if this was the case we would end&nbsp;meal and he would eat when hungry at the next meal&nbsp;not an option here. So instead I have Jackson eating great at the table and then Joshua screaming no, done now... I never wanted to be a short order cook at my house and now not only am I offering&nbsp;option after option, but now we are playing ridiculous games tyring to get him to eat. <br /><br />I know there is not really an answer to this I just had to vent my frustration with this processes and the fact that I have to get my 2 year old to eat when his BG says not when his tummy says.&nbsp; <br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-56556917629973503582011-03-30T23:49:00.001-04:002011-03-30T23:52:46.735-04:00A New D-MamaHey yall I was actually blog hopping today when I should have been doing taxes... ugh... any way I found a super cool new mom and I wanted to share her blog with you!&nbsp; She has a daughter who was dx back in feb.&nbsp; You may have already found her and I am behind but if not check it out!! <br /><a href="http://type1diabetic3yearold.blogspot.com/">http://type1diabetic3yearold.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207093518242522262.post-17858235458769096482011-02-18T00:12:00.001-05:002011-02-18T00:12:54.262-05:00to the DOC<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Not sure if you have seen this before I may of posted last year but this is something I found shortly after diagnosis and it is still something I read when having a really bad day. &nbsp;Hugs and love to you all!!&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><strong style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></strong></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><strong style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How God Selects the Mother of a Diabetic Child</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">by Erma Bombeck</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with diabetes are chosen?</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint Matthew."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, Patron Saint Cecilia."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint Gerard. He's used to profanity."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a child with diabetes." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"Exactly", smiles God. "Could I give child with diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"But has she the patience?" asks the angel.</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother.</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>You see, the child I am going to give her has his own world. She has to make the child live in her world and that's not going to be easy."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>God nods. "If she cannot separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than perfect."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"She does not realize it yet, but she is to be envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see .... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice ... and allow her to rise above them.</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side."</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal !important; word-wrap: break-word;" /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."</b></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/54/03FA163B756B0766317A0D3367A72FF8.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Shannon@ The New Normal Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.com11